HEADLINES: 2026

"And the law lagged reality." S2 #99
Good examples.
And notably, the dust has not yet settled, as seasoned CV.us lurkers can attest.

"But remember these primitive clans has to keep the knowledge on how to tan leather, make weapons like bows, arrows, flint or obsidian blades, etc.
At Chaco Canyon pueblo site, there were as many as 6000 people living there, but only around 4 or 5 cooking facilities." R5 #100
I think you're blurring distinctions here.

First of all on the issue of the evolution of human society, your examples: "tan leather, make weapons like bows, arrows, flint or obsidian blades, etc." may simply represent a different portion of history.
"At Chaco Canyon pueblo site, there were as many as 6000 people living there" R5
And thus far beyond what I consider a "clan".

clan (klăn)
n.
1. A traditional social unit in the Scottish Highlands, consisting of a number of families claiming a common ancestor and following the same hereditary chieftain.
2. A division of a tribe tracing descent from a common ancestor.
3. A large group of relatives, friends, or associates.


[Middle English, from Scottish Gaelic clann, family, from Old Irish cland, offspring, from Latin planta, plant, sprout; see plat- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Word History: The word clan is, from the etymological point of view, the same word as plant. ... More at: The American Heritage® Dictionary. All rights reserved.

"tan leather, make weapons like bows, arrows, flint or obsidian blades, etc." R5 #100
Splendid.
But these are things that also could have been done by small clans, or even family sized groups, or even individuals.

Division of labor hit stride when it resulted in the introduction of innovation, things that wouldn't have existed without such occupational diversification.
I don't know enough about it, but wicked candles come to mind. Difficult for me to imagine a rogue (solitary) caveman braiding fibers, and then dipping them in a cauldron of melted candle wax to complement his pterodactyl candelabra.

storm petrel
 
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France introduced a policy requiring large supermarkets to redirect unsold, still-edible food to charities instead of discarding it.

Under the rule, major grocery stores are not permitted to deliberately dispose of food that remains suitable for consumption. Instead, retailers are encouraged to partner with local food banks and charitable organizations so that the food can be distributed to people in need.

The initiative was designed to address two challenges at the same time: reducing food waste while supporting communities that benefit from food assistance programs.

Although the measure alone cannot eliminate food insecurity, supporters say it highlights how policy changes can encourage businesses and charities to work together in ways that make better use of available resources.

SOURCE
 
"France introduced a policy requiring large supermarkets to redirect unsold, still-edible food to charities instead of discarding it." #102
On superficial consideration that might seem a dandy idea.
But economics is complicated, and this is economics on national scale.

It may take a few years, a few harvest cycles to better understand the broader economic impact.
 
All small human societies are naturally socialist by nature, but when society gets too large, socialism has to be planned in order to make up for the fact people stop caring about those they do not personally know.
All socialism actually is comes from the fact that all ventures require investment, and if that investment comes from the public, then we can decide not to require it to return a profit.
That is how the rest of the world pays less than half what we do for health care, and get better doctors who are dedicated, instead of corporate pencil pushers.
 
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"Wow, it seems to me that Cuba has Russian nuclear protection?
That does not sound good?" R5 #106
The question is, does Trump care?
I see no persuasive indication Trump wants his grandchildren to have grandchildren.

It's not uncommon for 2nd term presidents to shift their attentions to foreign policy,
partly because they've done about as much damage as they can domestically,
and foreign policy need not necessarily include congressional participation or approval.

It seems Trump enjoys busting up stuff.
We're doing so for ostensible Drug War in two oceans.

Trump is bullying Venezuela, Iran, and threatening imminent action against Cuba .

It'll be miraculous if we survive this.
 
"And all they wanted was affordable healthcare" S2 #108
And the gullible MAGA voter might believe they had reason to vote Trump in 2024.

"I am going to take care of everybody. I don't care if it costs me votes or not. Everybody's gunna be taken care of much better than they're taken care of now." Candidate Trump 15/09/27 to CBS Scott Pelly

"You're going to have such great healthcare at a tiny fraction of the cost." candidate Trump 16/10/25 from campaign podium


suckers !
 
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Politics·Benzinga

John Bolton Says Moscow's Assistance To Iran Is The Wake Up Call Everyone In Washington Needs: 'Russia Is An Enemy Of The United States'

Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton warned that Russia's support for Iran, including sharing intelligence on U.S. military operations, represents a major threat to Washington and regional stability. Russia Feeding Iran US Military Intel On Sunday, Bolton shared the warning in a post on X while highlighting his interview with NewsNation. He wrote, "Russia's assistance to the Iranian regime should be a wake up call for Washington. Russia is an enemy of the United States


World·The Hill

Top Iranian security official to Trump: ‘Be careful not to get eliminated yourself’


Independently these two headlines might not seem all that attention-getting.
Iran may not have the resources to assassinate President Trump before the next presidential election.

Russia / Putin may be better situated for that.

Part of that problem, Putin knows if he did so, AND GOT CAUGHT, meaning the assassination order was traced back to Putin,
it would be big trouble for Putin & Moscow.

Whether Iran & Russia can make a plan that includes plausible deniability of their own involvement, perhaps we shall see.
 
And the gullible MAGA voter might believe they had reason to vote Trump in 2024.

"I am going to take care of everybody. I don't care if it costs me votes or not. Everybody's gunna be taken care of much better than they're taken care of now." Candidate Trump 15/09/27 to CBS Scott Pelly

"You're going to have such great healthcare at a tiny fraction of the cost." candidate Trump 16/10/25 from campaign podium

suckers !

What is interesting is that not only does Russia rate better in health care since it is free, but they also are taxed less than a forth what we are taxes in the US for defense, per person.
 
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https://www.lininco.com/products/-f...ortable-waterproof-walking-shoes-hiking-shoes
Politics·Benzinga

John Bolton Says Moscow's Assistance To Iran Is The Wake Up Call Everyone In Washington Needs: 'Russia Is An Enemy Of The United States'

Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton warned that Russia's support for Iran, including sharing intelligence on U.S. military operations, represents a major threat to Washington and regional stability. Russia Feeding Iran US Military Intel On Sunday, Bolton shared the warning in a post on X while highlighting his interview with NewsNation. He wrote, "Russia's assistance to the Iranian regime should be a wake up call for Washington. Russia is an enemy of the United States


World·The Hill

Top Iranian security official to Trump: ‘Be careful not to get eliminated yourself’


Independently these two headlines might not seem all that attention-getting.
Iran may not have the resources to assassinate President Trump before the next presidential election.

Russia / Putin may be better situated for that.

Part of that problem, Putin knows if he did so, AND GOT CAUGHT, meaning the assassination order was traced back to Putin,
it would be big trouble for Putin & Moscow.

Whether Iran & Russia can make a plan that includes plausible deniability of their own involvement, perhaps we shall see.

At this point, getting caught may not matter, and the person could be a hero?
 
"What is interesting is that not only does Russia rate better in health care since it is free, but they also are taxed less than a forth what we are taxes in the US for defense, per person." R5 #111
The healthcare system may cost lower per capita than U.S.

BUT !

If you needed emergency triple-bypass surgery would you rather get it in Moscow?
Or New York, Minnesota, or California? Pass the Mayo?
 
The healthcare system may cost lower per capita than U.S.

BUT !

If you needed emergency triple-bypass surgery would you rather get it in Moscow?
Or New York, Minnesota, or California? Pass the Mayo?

Some people get high quality health care in the US, but most do not.
My brother just had a loose tendon on a heart valve, and they botched the surgery completely.
They did not even schedule any follow-ups.
He lasted less than 6 months after the operation.

The people who get the best affordable care schedule the surgery in Mexico, India, Vietnam, etc.
 
"The people who get the best affordable care schedule the surgery in Mexico, India, Vietnam, etc." R5 #114
I haven't kept up with it. My most in depth knowledge of it is now obsolete.

I leave it to the experts, you know, like the president of the United States.

What I'd like is world-class healthcare for my countrymen, at competitive global price, or lower.

Whether we get there by single-payer, or any other,
not clear why it would matter to me. It's the result I care about.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<< OTO >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I am significantly alert to the risk that we may be contaminating the human gene pool by enabling citizens to survive to breeding age,
that otherwise would not have.

I do not know, but hope out of a solar system population over 8 billion with a B humans, it won't matter enough to justify reverting to thump-on-the-noggin anesthesia. 🔨
 
I haven't kept up with it. My most in depth knowledge of it is now obsolete.

I leave it to the experts, you know, like the president of the United States.

What I'd like is world-class healthcare for my countrymen, at competitive global price, or lower.

Whether we get there by single-payer, or any other,
not clear why it would matter to me. It's the result I care about.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<< OTO >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I am significantly alert to the risk that we may be contaminating the human gene pool by enabling citizens to survive to breeding age,
that otherwise would not have.

I do not know, but hope out of a solar system population over 8 billion with a B humans, it won't matter enough to justify reverting to thump-on-the-noggin anesthesia. 🔨

I think the problem with health care started in 1957 when the IRS decided to allow employer benefits to employees to be tax exempt.
That makes no sense to me, since benefits should always be taxed.
But what it did was force everyone to buy health insurance, since otherwise the insurance companies raised rates enough to make it unaffordable on your own.
And the problem with that is then insurance companies were telling doctors what they could and could not do.
 
"... benefits should always be taxed." R5 #117
I'll need some time to consider that.
Some major U.S. employers donate to charity. Some employers among them run campaigns encouraging their employees to donate to charity, and match their employee's donations.

If "benefits should always be taxed", should such corporate donations obtain special IRS consideration (as they now do)?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx time machine xxxxxxxxxxxxx <<< 1953 < !

In the 1950's U.S., was it possible for an average U.S. citizen to have an overnight stay in a hospital semi-private room,
affordable enough for the patient to pay in full out of pocket?

...
meaning, how is our healthcare pie sliced?
How much of one healthcare dollar goes to patient care?
and how much to everything else?
- administration
- nurse pensions
- buffing the floor ...
 
I'll need some time to consider that.
Some major U.S. employers donate to charity. Some employers among them run campaigns encouraging their employees to donate to charity, and match their employee's donations.

If "benefits should always be taxed", should such corporate donations obtain special IRS consideration (as they now do)?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx time machine xxxxxxxxxxxxx <<< 1953 < !

In the 1950's U.S., was it possible for an average U.S. citizen to have an overnight stay in a hospital semi-private room,
affordable enough for the patient to pay in full out of pocket?

...
meaning, how is our healthcare pie sliced?
How much of one healthcare dollar goes to patient care?
and how much to everything else?
- administration
- nurse pensions
- buffing the floor ...

The untaxed "benefits" of health insurance were and are being given to employees instead of wages.
How is that different than providing housing, clothing, food, etc.?

And it causes several problems.
One is that it allowed insurance companies to take over the health care providers, greatly increasing health care costs.
Another is that since the upper class workers got this negotiated by company, they got the lowest rates.
While the lower class workers were not offered health insurance by their companies, so had to negotiate individually, resulting in them being forced to pay the highest rates.
Which in effect forced poor workers to subsidize the health care of the wealthy.

Health care starting to become poor quality and yet very expensive corresponds to when the IRS made this allowance in 1957.
 
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